The final of PSL 2026 will feature a full crowd after PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced that the Pakistan Prime Minister had approved the move. It will become this season's only game to feature fans after the tournament was played behind closed doors as a fuel-saving measure owing to the energy crisis trigged by supply disruptions following the West Asia crisis.
"I requested Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to allow spectators in the stadiums," Naqvi said. "While he was also inclined to permit fans, he emphasised that austerity measures are currently in place across Pakistan, with efforts underway to minimize fuel consumption. However, on the request of franchise owners, he has graciously approved the presence of fans for the PSL 11 Final. I sincerely thank him for this decision and for facilitating the fans."
Naqvi announced on 22 March that the tournament would be played in front of empty stadiums, and was being pared back to include just two venues - Lahore and Karachi - rather than the original six. At the time he left open the possibility that crowds would be allowed in the later stages of tournaments, but that that would be contingent on the "crisis" in Iran ending. "Perhaps it ends in 10 days, perhaps 15."
A month on, there was no change, with all games played in front of a handful of people at the stadiums, primarily including special guests and some sponsorship related attendees. But there has been an increasing clamour for fans to be permitted as the tournament has gone on, particularly from the owners of most of the franchises.
The PCB is yet to release further details concerning how tickets will be sold. The final will take place at the Gaddafi Stadium on 3 May.
